Myanmar Military Escalates Genocidal Campaign: Airstrikes and Ground Attacks Devastate Bolibazar and Buthidaung

MAUNGDAW/BUTHIDAUNG — Action Against Rohingya Atrocities (AARA) issues this urgent alert regarding a severe escalation of military aggression by the Myanmar junta against Rohingya civilian populations in northern Rakhine State. On July 1, 2026, the military launched a series of coordinated airstrikes and ground assaults targeting Bolibazar village in northern Maungdaw and multiple locations across Buthidaung Township. These actions represent a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a continuation of the systematic persecution of the Rohingya people.

The Attack on Bolibazar, Northern Maungdaw

Bolibazar, a critical Rohingya village situated in northern Maungdaw, has reportedly come under direct attack by the Myanmar military. While specific details of ground operations remain challenging to verify immediately, reports indicate a violent assault that has instilled widespread terror among the already vulnerable civilian population. The intensity of the explosions, occurring approximately 13 kilometers from the Bangladesh border, was such that they were distinctly felt in the bordering areas of Whaikyang and Hnila in Teknaf, Bangladesh. This deliberate targeting of a civilian-populated area underscores the military's disregard for human life and international norms.

Aerial Bombardment in Buthidaung Township

Concurrently, at approximately 10:30 AM local time on July 1, 2026, the military junta's air force initiated a brutal aerial campaign over Buthidaung Township. Multiple local sources and verified reports confirm the deployment of Y-12 transport planes, modified for bombing, alongside jet fighters.

Key details of the Buthidaung airstrikes include:

• Aircraft Utilized: Y-12 transport planes and jet fighters.
• Targeted Areas: At least ten bombs were dropped on villages located on the bank opposite Buthidaung town, with Wa Shi La village specifically identified as a target.
• Civilian Casualties: The airstrikes have resulted in several Rohingya civilian injuries. A particularly tragic case involves Sawdula Amin, the young son of Mohamed Basir from Wa Shi La village, who sustained severe, life-altering injuries, including the loss of a leg. He remains in critical condition. Residents across Buthidaung Township reported feeling the impact of the airstrikes, leading to widespread fear and displacement.

Analysis and Urgent Call to Action

The renewed and intensified military operations, particularly the use of aerial bombardment against civilian areas, signal a desperate and lethal shift in the Myanmar military's strategy. These actions are not legitimate counter-insurgency operations; rather, they constitute targeted attacks on a protected ethnic group, designed to inflict maximum physical and psychological harm and further the military's genocidal agenda. The international community has extensively documented the systematic nature of these atrocities since 2017, yet the violence persists.

Action Against Rohingya Atrocities (AARA) urgently demands the following from the international community:

1. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: The Myanmar military must immediately and unconditionally cease all airstrikes and ground operations targeting civilian areas in Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
2. Robust International Intervention: The United Nations Security Council and other relevant international bodies must move beyond condemnations and implement a comprehensive global arms embargo, alongside targeted sanctions against the junta's aviation fuel supplies and other critical resources that enable these atrocities.
3. Unfettered Humanitarian Access: Immediate and unfettered access must be granted to international humanitarian agencies to provide emergency medical care, aid, and protection to the victims of these attacks, particularly the injured in Buthidaung and the displaced populations.

"The international community's continued inaction emboldens the Myanmar military to perpetuate its genocidal campaign. The maiming of Sawdula Amin and the terror inflicted upon Bolibazar are stark reminders that the genocide against the Rohingya is not a historical event but an ongoing, brutal reality that demands immediate and decisive global action." AARA Spokesperson

Action Against Rohingya Atrocities (AARA) remains steadfast in its commitment to documenting every violation, advocating for justice, and ensuring the voices of the silenced Rohingya community are heard on the global stage.